Grand Council

Grand Council. Also referred to as “Council of the Gods” that took place in the preexistence. According to Joseph Smith, this was the place where “in the beginning, the head of the Gods called a council of the Gods; and they came together and concocted a plan to create the world and people it” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 349). Tenth President Joseph Fielding Smith provided more details: “In the grand council held in heaven, Jesus Christ voluntarily accepted the mission of Redeemer, to come in the due time of the Father and make the sacrifice that would bring to pass this restoration through the shedding of his blood… Adam was also chosen in this same council to fulfil his part as the progenitor of the human race. When he came to fulfil his part of the plan, all his former knowledge was taken from him. He had forgotten that he was Michael the archangel, holding great authority in the pre-existence” (Answers to Gospel Questions 1:182).